*She blinked her eyes slowly, waking to the sounds of soft cooing beside her. The smile lit her face in an instant and she lifted her hand to stroke it across the soft hair of the babe. Soft moonlight eyes stared back at her, for the babe was still to young to smile, but it was enough. After a moment, Raychel wrinkled her nose at the smell the child was emiting. Chuckling a bit, she rose to her side and placed a hand under Venin's head, and the other on her soiled bottom. Holding her close to her chest, though the babe rooted for feeding, she carried her across the area to the changing shelves.

Bells singing and the only other sound that of the guards pacing the floor at the entrance, she placed the wrapped baby on the covered table.* That is not a pleasant smell, sweet Venin. *She laughed a bit and raised her hand to the top of the blanket circling the infant. Pulling gently, she uncovered the baby and grinned when the hands began to clench and unclench at the cool of the room. Still, she did not cry. It was odd to Raychel, for she'd heard babies never stopped crying, but Venin hardly uttered a peep unless she was hungry. And even then it was merely a whimper.

The eyes stared at her own soft blue hues and she smiled again, the dimples poking. She wondered if Venin would have dimples when she smiled, and she traced a finger across the baby's freckled nose.* So much mama... *She whispered softly.* You're going to make a Master very happy one day. *The frown came briefly before she tossed that feeling aside. Be grateful for what she was given, she thought to herself.

Stepping just to the side of the table, to be sure Venin wouldn't roll and hurt herself, though she was far too young to do so, Raychel began to scrub at her hands with a wet cloth she'd set there for just this reason. It was cool and rough, but it was getting the job done. She didn't want to touch Venin with dirty hands and get her sick.

Returning to stand before the baby's feet, she reached her hands to the top of the cloth over the babies bottom. Undoing first the pin on the left, she removed it and set it aside, then did the same with the pin on the right. Removing the cloth, she wrinkled her nose at the contents of the diaper and shook her head, curls bouncing about her face.* Breastmilk poo is gross, Venin. *she laughed a bit, before taking a clean cloth and dipping it in the water. Wiping carefully, she cleaned the babies bottom and removed the diaper, folding it and tossing it into the diaper basket for washing later, as well as the now soiled wipe cloth.

Reaching up, she grabbed another cloth, a smile on her lips. Clean baby, she thought quietly, and grabbed the newborns ankles in her hand. Lifting, she places the diaper beneath the child, and folds it across Venins tiny belly. Lowering the baby's legs, she grabs the pins and fastens them to each side, before nodding her head. Lifting the babe then, she made her way back to the bed, holding her gently. So easy, she thought, and hoped that Venin continued to be so.*

*Wetting her lips, Raychel returned to the Kennel from where she'd just hung up the laundry. The toddler was still asleep, and Ray shook her head.* Lazy lazy. *She knelt down in squat before the child of barely two, brushing a hand across the curls on her forehead.* Venin...it's time to wake up, lovely. *The child stirred, blinking open the light violet eyes hooded by orange lashes. Her smile was bright and immediate and she rolled over feigning sleep. Raychel answered her grin with one of her own and shook her head.* Oh no you don't. *She smirked and tucked a hand under the childs head, pulling her toward her.* C'mon, you said you wanted to help mommy, so wakey wakey. *The toddler turned to peek at her with squinted eyes, and Raychel laughed. Rising, she allowed the child to wake at her own pace while she fetched her clothing.

Grabbing the cloth coverings, she walks back to Venin and as the child stands, she ties them on her tiny frame.* Would you like to practice words today? *The child made a face, and Raychel laughed again.* You'll have to talk some time, love. Can't stay silent for the rest of your life. Any Master you get wouldn't be happy about that. *The girl crossed her arms and pouted, sticking her lower lip out. Raychel shook her head again, and uncrossed Venin's arms, taking her hand in one of her own.* Come on. You can help mommy. *She ran a hand through the girls curls as they walked.

Stopping at the entrance to the coop, she releases Venin's hand and bends at her waist. Grabbing the candle that sits there for use, she lifts it into her hands and stops a passing guard to light it for her. When he does so, she turns to Venin and speaks softly knowing the girl will follow her inside. Cradling the flame without touching it, she steps into the coop as she talks.* Mama will show you how to carefully get the egg without angering the vulo and how to make sure there isn't a baby inside the egg. We don't wanna eat the babies now do we? *As Venin scrunched her nose and shook her head, Raychel smiled and stooped before a sleeping vulo.

Brown in color with soft streaks of tan, it slept soundly and Raychel gently slid first her fingers then hand beneath the birds rump. Taking hold of two small eggs, she circles the soft flesh of her hand around them, and pulls them out slowly.* The trick, is being so gentle, that the vulo doesn't wake up. It took mama a few tries the first time she did it. She was six. *She smiled to Venin, turning to her and holding the eggs before her.* And mama got pecked by three vulo before she got it right. *She held the eggs before Venin's wide wondering eyes and handed her one.* Be careful and don't drop it.

*The child held it in her two small hands and stared in wonder. While she was transfixed, Raychel held the other at eye level and shined the candle beneath it. Nothing but egg, and she grinned, before looking to Venin again.* Hold it up careful, okay? *The child responded and lifted it for her mama and Raychel held the fire beneath the egg, proud at how steady the toddler was. This one, however, held a chick, and Raychel grinned wildly.* Do you see that? There's a baby in there... *She whispered softly and watched Venin's eyes. They grew wide with wonder and while Raychel held the candle, the chick inside flinched, moving. Raychel removed the candle and took the egg carefully.* We have to put it back. *Turning, she held the egg in her hand and replaced it beneath the vulo gently, without waking the bird.

They went from vulo to vulo, checking thoroughly and had a hefty amount before they left the coop.* Well done, Venin. Mama is proud of you. *And her smile met her eyes, filled with mirth. They wore matching grins as they made their way to the kitchens.*